User Guides

Selecting Your Vera Home Controller

Last Updated: Feb 17, 2017 02:18PM PST

Selecting Your Vera Home Controller

All Vera Home Controllers provide the essential central hub for all your home security and smart home devices -- cameras, door/window sensors, thermostats, locks and more. All Vera Home Controllers are very easy to set-up and use. All Vera Home Controllers are operated from your smartphone, tablet or browser with a simple and intuitive Vera App -- enabling

Quick mode changes (Home, Away, etc.),

Custom scenes and alerts, and much more.

And all Vera Home Controllers require no monthly fees.

So what's different between the models of Vera Home Controllers? Here's an overview of our three current models to help decide which one is best for you.

VeraEdge Home Controller

VeraEdge has everything you need to build a reliable, sophisticated home security and automation system. You can add devices from many different brands, the main limitation being that the devices must use one of these 2 wireless protocols:

Z-Wave - the most popular protocol for home security and automation. There are over 1200 Z-Wave devices currently available, with more added all the time, including door/window sensors, motion sensors, alarms, thermostats, light switches, dimmers, door locks and more.

Wi-Fi - to connect to most cameras, and control popular devices like Nest and Lyric Thermostats. Many Wi-Fi devices come with their own apps, but there's a huge advantage to controlling them with a VeraEdge, which is that they can interact with the other devices in your system. So for example, you unlock your door and the thermostat can change.

VeraEdge works best for systems of up to about 50 or 75 devices. (There's no exact limit because it depends on many factors, including what type of devices, your custom scenes, plug-ins, etc.)

The VeraEdge is a great controller to get started with, and may very well have everything you need. As your system gets larger, or if you want to be able to incorporate new devices from more brands that use other protocols, then you may be ready for VeraPlus.

VeraPlus Home Controller

The VeraPlus Home Controller steps everything up a notch, compared with VeraEdge:

Processor: We’ve beefed up the processor so when it has a lot of things to do at once, it can do it more easily and more quickly.

Gigabit WiFi: We’ve turbo charged the Wi-Fi protocols by adding Wi-Fi AC, which can carry more data, at a faster rate. You can have more cameras connected with no need to worry.

Memory: VeraPlus features twice the memory (RAM) of VeraEdge, so there is more room to grow and quicker response.

4 Protocols: VeraPlus has two more protocols on board, compared with VeraEdge, increasing your device options both now and in the future:

1 - ZigBee 2 -Bluetooth LE3 - Z-Wave 4 -Wi-Fi

The advantage of all these protocols is that at some point, now or in the future, a particular device may only be available in one protocol. VeraPlus gives you more flexibility to incorporate these devices without worrying which protocols they use. Bluetooth and ZigBee wireless protocols open a world of additional devices, from many additional brands that can all work with your VeraPlus.

In fact, the VeraPlus Home Controller is compatible with just about every device and brand out there!

VeraSecureHome Controller

VeraSecure is our flagship controller. It has all the compatibility of VeraPlus, and even more features to help make your home completely secure.

VeraSecure is the modern day replacement for a security panel. It has everything VeraPlus and VeraEdge have, plus even more memory for more room to grow, controlling up to around 200 devices, along with many custom scenes and plug-ins you may choose to add.

In case your power goes out, a built-in Backup Battery will keep your VeraSecure Controller running for up to 8 hours.

In case your internet service goes out, the Cellular Backup, which works with the optional VeraProtect service can continue to send alerts or summon help from the VeraProtect call center.

There is also a call button on the top, so in the event of an emergency when you would need emergency services, you can talk to the call center right through the VeraSecure's Built-in Microphone and Speaker.

A piercingly lout Siren Alarm is built-in too, to scare off intruders.

And VeraSecure adds one more protocol, VeraLink, for device compatibility even more security oriented devices, with longer range and better battery life.

Vera Home Controller Comparison Chart

This chart summarizes some key technical differences between Vera Home Controllers:

Controller

VeraEdge

VeraPlus

VeraSecure

Processor

600MHz MIPS SoC

880MHz MIPS SoC

880MHz Dual-Core MIPS SoC

Flash Memory

NAND 128MB

NAND 128MB

NAND 128MB

RAM Memory

DDR2 128MB

DDR3 256MB

DDR3 512MB

Z-Wave

Z-Wave Plus

Z-Wave Plus

Z-Wave Plus

ZigBee

(not avail)

HA 1.2

HA 1.2

Bluetooth

(not avail)

4.0 + BLE

4.0 + BLE

Wi-Fi

802.11 b/g/n

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

VeraLink (345 or 433MHz)

(not avail)

(not avail)

Built-in VeraLink

Cellular Backup (for optional VeraProtect)

Optional, External

Optional, External

Built-in (embedded) 3G

Backup Battery

Optional, External

Optional, External

Built-in 2400mAh/18Wh

Expansion

USB 2.0

USB 2.0

USB 2.0

WAN

10/100 Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet

Gigabit Ethernet

Siren Alarm

(not avail)

(not avail)

Built-in Siren Alarm

Two-Way Audio

(not avail)

(not avail)

Built-in Microphone and Speaker for 2-Way Sound

Easy Upgrades

One last point: The Vera App lets you easily upgrade to a new controller anytime. All your device installations and custom settings will transfer over. It's easy to start with a VeraEdge, and then upgrade later to a VeraSecure or VeraPlus as your system grows. With VeraEdge currently priced so low, there's never been a better time to get the convenience, security and peace of mind of a Vera Home Controller.
Shop now at shop.getvera.com to get your Vera Controller!